CATHOLIC

Why is the call of nostalgia sometimes so strong? The older I get the more time I spend looking back at childhood, particularly adolescence. Maybe that's just the way we're wired or at least how I'm programmed. Maybe it's having children and rediscovering your experiences through them as they grow. There are undoubtedly a multitude of factors that contribute to the desire for trips down memory lane. It's been 31 years since I was in 8 th grade. My daughter will finish grammar school in June, just like I did back in 1989. Watching her navigate her way through junior high has triggered in me the longing to review and reflect on that period of my life. The ages between 11-14 are an extremely formative period. Coaching grade school soccer and track has also undoubtedly rekindled my memories of 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grade and how massively important sport was in my life. The retro sneaker culture that has exploded in recent years is also a huge factor in helping me reconnect with my youth. I..